Filtration System

ABSTRACT

A filtration system is arranged to safely vent a storage room into which a fog mixture is introduced. Venting the storage room reduces and/or prevents a substantial increase in the internal pressure of the storage room. To control the pressure differential between the storage room and the ambient air pressure, a venting manifold with an in-line duct fan is used, for example, to exhaust storage room air into the atmosphere. The exhausted storage room air is filtered to reduce the exfiltration of chemicals and/or other contaminants from the environmentally sealed storage room.

BACKGROUND

Post-harvest chemicals are applied to fruit in environmentally sealedstorage rooms. Air and treatment chemicals are applied in the form of achemical fog mixture. The fog mixture is introduced into the storageroom using a device such as an electro-thermofogger gun. Theintroduction of the externally supplied air in the fog mixture increasesthe internal pressure of the environmentally sealed storage rooms.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A system and method is disclosed herein for safely venting a storageroom (such as a commodity storage room) into which a fog mixture isintroduced. Venting the storage room reduces and/or prevents asubstantial increase in the internal pressure of the storage room. Tocontrol the pressure differential between the storage room and theambient air pressure, a venting manifold with an in-line duct fan isused, for example, to exhaust storage room air into the atmosphere. Theexhausted storage room air is filtered to reduce the exfiltration ofchemicals and/or other contaminants from the environmentally sealedstorage room.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description and a review of the associateddrawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are explanatory onlyand are not restrictive. Among other things, the various embodimentsdescribed herein may be embodied as methods, devices, or a combinationthereof. The disclosure herein is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a filter system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“well-sealed 3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap(2^(nd) test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusablefilters pretreated with propylene glycol” (PG) filter bank used in athermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3Mfilter (Second Test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3Mfilter (washed and dried)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “twocheap and four 3M filters” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “twocheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (new)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 EcoFOG)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 Melted DPA)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “six new3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filterbank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 23 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency in a secondtest of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbonEcoFOG 160 2L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Many details of certainembodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following descriptionand accompanying figures so as to provide a thorough understanding ofthe embodiments. Reference to various embodiments does not limit thescope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples setforth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merelyset forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thethermofogging filtration system 100 includes an environmentally sealedstorage room 110 (such as a commodity storage room for storing potatoes)is provided for safely treating items within the environmentally sealedstorage room 110. The environmentally sealed storage room 110 is asubstantially closed room that is arranged to substantially reduce theintroduction of a substantial amount of treatment substances into thesurrounding area.

Access to the chamber of the environmentally sealed storage room 110 canbe provided using access port 112, which is arranged to allow ingress toand egress from the chamber of the environmentally sealed storage room110 by, for example, humans and/or items 124 to be treated within theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110. (In various embodiments, theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110 is any suitable chamber thatneed not be large enough to allow a human to enter the environmentallysealed storage room 110.)

An airstream substance infuser is arranged to infuse treatmentsubstances into an airstream to generate air-borne treatment substances.The airstream substance infuser is arranged to introduce the airstreamand the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of thesubstantially closed room to generate dispersed air-borne substances.Thermo-fogging gun 120 is an example of an airstream substance infuserthat is arranged to infuse treatment substances into an airstream.Thermo-fogging gun 120 is coupled to the environmentally sealed storageroom 100 via access port 112, which is normally sealed during times inwhich items 124 within the environmentally sealed storage room 110 arebeing treated. During treatment, air-borne substances 122 are introducedinto the environmentally sealed storage room 110 by directing theairstream through an exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun 120. Theair-borne substances 122 disperse after being introduced into theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110 and come in contact with theitems 124 that are to be treated.

In an example application, post-harvest chemicals are applied to fruit(or vegetables, including tubers such as potatoes) in sealed storagerooms using a thermo-fogging application method. Air and treatmentchemicals in a form such as fog is introduced into a storage room(and/or container) using an electrically driven thermo-fogging gun. Thetreatment chemicals are dispersed in the storage room using air currents(such as those caused by the thermo-fogging gun itself and/orcirculation fans) and (e.g., naturally occurring) diffusion gradients.(The term “fan” means, for example, a device that causes movement ofair.) The operation is can be continued (without, for example,interruption) over a period of hours (more or less).

However, the introduction of air-borne substances 122 into theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110 can increase the air pressure ofthe environmentally sealed storage room 110. For example, the rise inthe air pressure of the environmentally sealed storage room 110 canpotentially cause exfiltration of air (and air-borne particles) from theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110 in accordance with the degree towhich the environmentally sealed storage room 110 is, inter alia,airtight. Also, the rise in the air pressure of the environmentallysealed storage room 110 can cause a higher back-pressure to existrelative to the exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun 120, which cancause a reduction in the efficiency of the thermo-fogging gun as well asa reduction in the efficacy of the air-borne substances 122 treatmentprocess.

An exhaust manifold 140 is provided to prevent a substantial increase inthe air pressure of the environmentally sealed storage room 110 (sothat, for example, uncontrolled exfiltration is reduced and/oreliminated). In an example embodiment, the exhaust manifold 140 is aplastic tube that is arranged in an area of the environmentally sealedstorage room 110 that is at an opposite end of and/or away from the areaof the access port 112 such that the air-borne substances traverse aportion of the environmentally sealed storage room 110 that includesitems 124 to be treated.

Vent holes 142 are arranged in the exhaust manifold 140 to permit theintroduction of air (including air-borne particles) into the exhaustmanifold 140. In an example embodiment, the vent holes 142 arethree/quarters of an inch in diameter and are spaced on 18 inch centersalong a wall of the environmentally sealed storage room 110 that facesthe exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun 120. The air pressuredeveloped in the environmentally sealed storage room 110 by theintroduction of the air (that conveys the air-borne substances) into theenvironmentally sealed storage room 110 facilitates the introduction ofair (including air-borne particles) into the exhaust manifold 140. Thedistributed arrangement of the vent holes 142 along portions of theexhaust manifold 140 (placed along the wall that opposes the exhaustport 112 through which the air-borne substances 122 are introduced intothe environmentally sealed storage room 110, for example) promotes amore even dispersion of the air-borne substances throughout the chamberof the environmentally sealed storage room 110.

The exhaust manifold 140 is coupled to a filter 150 that is arranged tocapture a portion (including a portion containing substantially all) ofthe concentration of air-borne particles that have been introduced intothe exhaust manifold 140. The filter 150 can be located outside of theenvironmentally sealed storage room so as to permit easy maintenance andmonitoring of the filter 150. (Filter 150 is further described belowwith reference to FIG. 2.)

To reduce the possibility of exfiltration of air-borne particles fromfilter 150 (and/or portions of the exhaust manifold 140 that areexternal to be environmentally sealed storage room 110), and in-lineduct fan 160 is coupled to the exhaust of filter 150. In-line duct fan160 is arranged to provide a negative pressure (e.g., suction) to theexhaustive filter 150. The applied negative pressure can, for example,be used to reduce the pressure of the filter 150 relative to the ambientair pressure (e.g., the air pressure surrounding the environmentallysealed storage room 110).

The reduced internal pressure of filter 150 substantially reduces thepotential for the air-borne substances to escape from the filter 150housing by lessening (and/or even reversing) the pressure gradientbetween the inside of filter 150 and the outside of filter 150. (Asdescribed below, the housing of filter 150 is arranged to be opened topermit maintenance of the filter 150 as well as to permit inspectionsthereof.) The exhaust of in-line duct fan 160 can be, for example,optionally coupled to another filter and/or installed in series eitherbefore or after the filter 150. The exhaust of in-line duct fan 160 canbe released as exhaust (through exhaust vent 170) to the ambient air(surrounding environmentally sealed storage room 110). Exhaust vent 170optionally contains a check valve 172 to, for example, permit portionsof the system (as described below) to operate at pressures lower thanambient (e.g., gauge) pressure (which normally reduces the possibilityof exfiltration of treatment substances into the ambient air).

In an embodiment, the thermo-fogger gun 120 is arranged to introducearound 30-40 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of an air/chemical mixture intothe environmentally sealed storage room 110 in the form of a fog.Controller 180 is arranged to determine ambient pressure (via sensor182), chamber pressure (via sensor 132), filter intake pressure (viasensor 152), filter exhaust pressure (via sensor 154), and fan exhaustpressure (via sensor 162).

Controller 180 is arranged to control the storage room pressure to aselected value between (for example) −0.15 and +0.15 inches water column(IWC) using a differential pressure reading. The differential pressurereading can be determined by subtracting a reading from sensor 132 witha (nearly contemporaneous) reading from sensor 182. Controller 180 isarranged to control the storage room pressure to a selected value usedto control a variable speed in-line duct fan.

Controller 180 can also determine a flow rate through the filter 150 bydetermining a differential pressure in response to readings from sensor152 (at the intake of filter 150) and from sensor 154 (at the exhaust offilter 150). An abnormally high pressure differential can indicate aclogged filter (for example) or indicate that service of the filter isto be performed. Pressure sensor 162 can be used in combination otherpressure sensors (such as sensor 154) to determine the efficiency ofin-line duct fan 160, a blockage of the exhaust manifold upstream ordownstream of the sensor 162, and normalization and/or calibration ofother sensors.

In various embodiments, controller 180 is optionally arranged toselectively couple one (or more simultaneously) of intakes 182, 184, and186 to the gun intake 188. When intake 182 is selected, air from thevolume of air (including air-borne treatment substances, if any) fromenvironmentally sealed room 110 can be recirculated for injection ofadditional air-borne treatment substances into the environmentallysealed room. Recirculation via intake 182, for example, extends the lifeof filter 150, and reduces the possibility that the air-borne substances(not captured by filter 150) might be released to the surrounding area.

When intake 184 is selected, air exhausted from the filter 150(including air-borne treatment substances, if any) can be recirculatedfor injection of additional air-borne treatment substances into theenvironmentally sealed room. Using information from (pressure) sensors132, 152, 154, 162, and 182, the controller 180 can vary the pressure inselected areas. The pressure of the volumes measured by sensors 152,154, and 162 can be controlled by selectively controlling the relativespeeds of an intake fan of gun 120 and fan 160.

When the flow rate of the fan 160 is increased over the flow rate of thefan of gun 120, the air pressures in between the exhaust of gun 120 andthe intake of fan are lowered. Thus, the pressures at points measured bysensors 152, 154, and 162 can be reduced—even to pressures below ambientpressure (which reduces the possibility of exfiltration of the treatmentsubstances to the ambient air). The pressure of the volumes measured bysensors 152, 154, and 162 can be controlled by selectively controllingthe relative speed of one or both of fan of gun 120 and fan 160. To helpmaintain operation of the gun 120 and fan 160 with normal operationalparameters, intake 186 (for example) can be selectively opened using arange of settings from a fully open to a fully closed position. (Inanother exemplary embodiment, check valve 172 can be controlled in asimilar fashion).

Recirculation via intake 184 when the flow rate of gun 120 is increasedover the flow rate of the fan 160 and check valve 172 is closed (viacontroller 180, or relative air pressures, for example), reduces thepossibility that the air-borne substances (not captured by filter 150)might be released to the surrounding area during a fogging process.

When intake 184 is selected, ambient air is used for by the gun 120 forinjection of additional air-borne treatment substances into theenvironmentally sealed room. The fan 160 is used to motivate air flow inthe exhaust manifold, to draw the air-borne substances through filter150, and to exhaust the filtered air through vent 170 as describedabove.

Accordingly, the possibility of exfiltration of air-borne substancesfrom the environmentally sealed storage room 110 is reduced, thepossibility of exfiltration of air-borne substances from portions of theexhaust manifold 140 and filter 150 is reduced, and the dispersion ofthe air-borne substances in the environmentally sealed storage room 110is more evenly distributed in accordance with the distribution of ventholes 142.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a filter system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. The filter system 200includes a chamber 210 having a width W (e.g., 16 inches), a height H(e.g., 25 inches), and a depth D (e.g., 20 inches). Intake port 220 isarranged to accept an air current 222, which contains air-bornesubstances that are to be filtered (e.g., removed) by filter system 200.Thus the air current 222 is coupled to chamber 210 via intake port 220,and after being filtered as described below, is exhausted via exhaustport 250. Fan 260 is arranged to motivate the passage of air current 222through filters of the chamber 210 by evacuating air (in varying degreesas described above) from the chamber 110 and exhausting the evacuatedair as air current 272.

Chamber 210 has a first stage filter 230 and a second stage filter 240.The first stage filter 230 in an embodiment is a bank of six “3M” highparticle-rated fiber air filters (such as model number 1900 or 2200 andhaving dimensions of one inch deep by 20 inches wide by 25 inches high)that are arranged in series with respect to the air current flow (suchthat the air current passes through each fiber air filter in the bank inturn). The first stage filter 230 includes, for example, a series (bank)of pleated fiber filters that are arranged to filter out “visible”air-borne particles. The air-borne particles typically include an activeingredient (AI) used for treating, for example, the items 124 in theenvironmentally sealed storage room. The first stage filter 230 caninclude one or more individual filters arranged in a bank.

The second stage filter 240 in an embodiment is a column activatedcarbon 12×30 mesh (e.g., 1.68 mm×0.595 mm) filter (having outerdimensions of two inches deep by 20 inches wide by 25 inches high). Thesecond stage filter 240 is arranged to capture volatile solvents andodor (“non-visible” air-borne particles) present in the air current 222.The second stage filter 240 can include one or more individual filtersarranged in a bank.

The efficiency of the filter system 200 can be made by performingmeasurements on the quality of the intake air as well as performingmeasurements on the quality of the exhaust (e.g., filtered) air. In anembodiment, inspection ports 224 and 254 are respectively provided to,for example, to sample the intake air and the exhaust air. Theinspection ports 224 and 254 are used to provide a substantiallyairtight aperture that is arranged to accept a sampling probe. Forexample the inspection ports 224 and 254 can each include asubstantially sealed membrane through which a needle of syringes 226 and256 is respectively inserted. (The terms “substantially” sealed orairtight are used, for example, to indicate a level at whichexfiltration of air-borne substances and/or infiltration of air from thesampling ports would introduce an unacceptable level of error in themeasurements.)

Measurements on the quality of the intake air and exhaust air can beperformed by measuring by sampling the concentrations of activeingredient (AI) pre-filter (e.g., via inspection port 224) andpost-filter (e.g., via inspection port 254). Concentration measurementscan be performed by taking aerosol samples at intervals starting, forexample, around five to 10 minutes after the beginning of the foggingprocess (which typically includes introducing treatment substances intothe environmentally sealed storage room 110 as described above). In anexemplary embodiment, a first 60 ml-syringe is used to draw a 50 mlsample via inspection port 224 (pre-filter) and a second 60 ml-syringesis used to draw a 50 ml sample via inspection port 254 (post-filter).

A 50 ml sample can be drawn by insert the needle into an inspection portand the plunger slowly drawn back (e.g., pulled up) to the 60 ml mark.After a 10 second delay, the plunger is depressed (e.g., pushed down) to50 ml mark. The syringe is extracted from the inspection port and usedto draw 5 ml of a solvent (such as analytical grade ethyl acetate) intothe syringe. The aerosol sample and the solvent are mixed by, forexample, removing the needle, capping the syringe outlet, and vigorouslyshaking the syringe for around 30 seconds. After a 15 second delay(while keeping the syringe vertically oriented with the outlet stillcapped), the plunger depressed to expel the liquid content (includesolvent and solutes) into sampling vials. The level of the activeingredient content of the liquid content in the sampling vials can bedetermined using a suitable gas chromatography-(GC-) based method.

The efficiency of the filter can be determined by comparing the higherconcentration of AI in the pre-filter aerosol sample with the (usuallylower) concentration (if any) of AI in a corresponding post-filteraerosol sample. For more accurate determinations, the samples are to bedrawn contemporaneously (or substantially contemporaneously) compared tothe corresponding outlet sample. The determination can be expressed inaccordance with:

Cg=100×CL  (I)

where Cg is the concentration of AI in the aerosol (expressed in unitsof mg/m³) and where CL is the concentration of AI in the liquid solutionas determined by the gas chromatography measurement (expressed in unitsof mg/L or ppm).

Table 1 is a summary of capture efficiencies of various filters tested:

TABLE 1 AI AI AI (mg)/ (mg)/ (mg)/ AI re- AI re- AI re- Wgt m{circumflexover ( )}3 m{circumflex over ( )}3 m{circumflex over ( )}3 ductionduction duction gain Filter Material AI min max avg min % max % avg %(g) (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 2200 air filters + 2″ pyrimethanil 0 0 0 100 100100 1074

(6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 2200 air filters + 2″ pyrimethanil 0 0 0 100 100 1001121 carbon (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air DPA 0.1 7.7 4 99.7 10099.85 266 filter (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air pyrimethanil 1 94 99.3 99.8 99.6 497

(6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air pyrimethanil 3 33 13 90.6 99.4 97filter *after 1 room* (6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter pyrimethanil55.9 191.2 95.3 94.1 98.2 96.9 1201 (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiberair DPA 0 21.8 6.7 63.6 100 93.3 1121 (2) low cost fiber filter + (4) 3M1900 pyrimethanil 40 80 54 82.8 95.8 92.4 784 (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900rated fiber air pyrimethanil 5 276 72.7 67.8 98.8 91.5 787 filter *after2nd room* (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air pyrimethanil 40 60 50 8198.1 89.2 1021 (6) re-used 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated pyrimethanil 70 160117.5 83 92.3 86.2 866 6″ bed Activated coconut carbon-12 × 30pyrimethanil 30 920 256 57 96.2 84 748 Mesh- (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 ratedfiber air DPA 128 175 143.4 67 86.5 82 397

(6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter (“Merv pyrimethanil 90 230 146 58.392.5 81.8 901 13”) washed and dried (6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter(“Merv pyrimethanil 40 130 88 50 91.8 80.3 1143 13”) *2nd test* 6″ bedactivated coconut carbon-12 × 30 pyrimethanil 40 580 166 24.7 97 79.7934 (2) low cost fiber filter + (4) reused 3M pyrimethanil 60 510 22245.7 88.7 78.5 658

(6) combo carbon/fiber air filters pretreated pyrimethanil 120 1740 67048.1 74.1 58.3 284 with 10% propylene glycol (6) Low cost fiberfilter-600 particle pyrimethanil 50 2600 766.7 −18 89.5 56.2 426 (6)Reusable fiber/sponge filter (“Merv 6”) pyrimethanil 190 1840 898 18.988.6 52.8 372 pretreated with 10% propylene glycol “BPL” coarse 4 × 6mesh carbon 6″ bed pyrimethanil 90 880 370 3.3 82.5 51 853 (6) reusablefiber/sponge filter (“Merv 6”) pyrimethanil 210 1641 941.7 13.1 59.241.78 367 (6) combination carbon/fiber air filters pyrimethanil 150 1730666 27.8 54.4 40.9 304 “BPL” coarse 4 × 6 mesh carbon 12″ bedpyrimethanil 60 780 285 0 40.6 16 839

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

As used herein “DPA” refers to diphenylamine.

As used herein “Pyr” refers to pyrimethanil.

In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods forfiltration, comprising arranging fruits and/or vegetables in asubstantially closed room having a volume of air, introducing apost-harvest chemical, preferably selected from the group consisting ofpyrimethanil, diphenylamine, thiabendazole, fludioxonil and a mixturethereof and optionally, additional treatment substances, into anairstream with a thermofogger gun to generate air-borne treatmentsubstances at a rate of up to 80 cubic feet per minute, introducing theairstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of airof the substantially closed room to generate the dispersed air-bornesubstances, creating with a fan a pressure between −0.25 and 0 incheswater column upon a bank of at least six high particle-rated pleatedfiber filters, and inducing an exhaust air current that flows from thesubstantially closed room into an exhaust port of the substantiallyclosed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes the air-bornesubstances from the exhaust port and the filter bank captures around 95percent of the air-borne treatment substances.

In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods forfiltration, comprising arranging fruits and/or vegetables in asubstantially closed room having a volume of air, introducing apost-harvest chemical, preferably selected from the group consisting ofpyrimethanil, diphenylamine, thiabendazole, fludioxonil and a mixturethereof and optionally, additional treatment substances, into anairstream with a thermofogger gun to generate air-borne treatmentsubstances at a rate of up to 40 cubic feet per minute, introducing theairstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of airof the substantially closed room to generate the dispersed air-bornesubstances, creating with a fan a pressure between −0.15 and 0 incheswater column upon a bank of at least six high particle-rated pleatedfiber filters, and inducing an exhaust air current that flows from thesubstantially closed room into an exhaust port of the substantiallyclosed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes the air-bornesubstances from the exhaust port and the filter bank captures around 95percent of the air-borne treatment substances.

FIG. 3 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 300 includes a plot310, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “3M” filter ofa filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 45 minutes.

Table 2 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M” filters tested (dueto air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 2 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 275.98 730.5454.52 164.7 2 278.19 509.29 231.1 83.1 3 271.49 415.21 143.72 52.9 4271.21 374.49 103.28 38.1 5 271.16 339.58 68.42 25.2 6 271.12 306.6335.51 13.1 Total 1639.15 2675.7 1036.55 63.2

Table 3 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “3M” filters tested:

TABLE 3 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction  5 min 508.83 24.3221 times 95.2 25 min 4891.2 452.969 11 times 90.7

FIG. 4 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“well-sealed 3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 400includes a plot 410, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain ofeach “well-sealed 3M” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in anexemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog”application time of 135 minutes.

Table 4 is a summary of the weight gain of the “well-sealed 3M” filterstested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, forexample):

TABLE 4 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 274.53 768.15493.62 179.8 2 273.94 536.91 262.97 96.0 3 275.63 454.37 178.74 64.8 4275.68 398.83 123.15 44.7 5 271.67 362.18 90.51 33.3 6 272.15 324.352.15 19.2 Total 1643.6 2844.74 1201.14 73.1

Table 5 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “well-sealed 3M” filters tested:

TABLE 5 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction  5 min 4311.0 113.737.9 97.4 10 min 3610.8 72.6 49.8 98.0 20 min 4010.0 71.4 56.1 98.2 35min 3244.4 191.2 17.0 94.1 70 min 2521.3 55.9 45.1 97.8 125 min  1592.167.2 23.7 95.8

FIG. 5 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 500 includes a plot510, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “cheap” filterof a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 15 minutes.

Table 6 is a summary of the weight gain of the “cheap” filters tested(due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, forexample):

TABLE 6 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 130.67 131.30.63 0.5 2 131.32 132.39 1.07 0.8 3 134.52 131.43 0.91 0.7 4 130.9 131.80.9 0.7 5 130.14 130.64 0.5 0.4 6 131.09 131.8 0.71 0.5 Total 784.64789.36 4.72 0.6

Table 7 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “cheap” filters tested:

TABLE 7 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 min 787.7 735.41.1 6.6

FIG. 6 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable”filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 600 includes a plot610, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “reusable”filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 165 minutes.

Table 8 is a summary of the weight gain of the “reusable” filters tested(due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, forexample):

TABLE 8 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 581.56 749.52167.96 28.9 2 584.4 631.4 47 8.0 3 584.07 623.05 38.98 6.7 4 579.89618.92 39.03 6.7 5 580.45 616.72 36.27 6.2 6 583.79 622.38 38.59 6.6Total 3494.16 3861.99 367.83 10.5

Table 9 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “reusable” filters tested:

TABLE 9 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 1889.9 1641.4 1.213.1 20 2989.2 1516.9 2.0 49.3 50 1985.5 810.4 2.5 59.2 95 750 530 1.429.3 155 500 210 2.4 58.0

FIG. 7 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap(2^(nd) test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 700includes a plot 710, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain ofeach “cheap (2^(nd) test)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used inan exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog”application time of 152 minutes.

Table 10 is a summary of the weight gain of the “cheap (2^(nd) test)”filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by eachfilter, for example):

TABLE 10 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 126.59 328.27201.68 159.3 2 125.07 224.5 99.43 79.5 3 126.65 170.16 43.51 34.4 4125.06 154.4 29.34 23.5 5 129.27 158.1 28.83 22.3 6 122.5 145.96 23.4619.2 Total 755.14 1181.39 426.25 56.4

Table 11 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “cheap (2nd test)” filterstested:

TABLE 11 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 7 2784 2600 1.1 6.627 1332 1570 0.8 −17.9 47 1715 180 9.5 89.5 72 1203 130 9.3 89.2 112 49170 7.0 85.7 142 315 50 6.3 84.1

FIG. 8 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusablefilters pretreated with propylene glycol” (PG) filter bank used in athermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Chart 800 includes a plot 810, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “reusable filters pretreated with PG”filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 165 minutes.

Table 12 is a summary of the weight gain of the “reusable filterspretreated with PG” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 12 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m PG on fltr % W. Gain 1643.65 800.4 156.75 48.91 19.6 2 642.81 677.4 34.59 54.78 5.1 3 619.7671.75 52.05 34.1 7.7 4 627.5 655.07 27.57 94.7 4.2 5 629.3 683.96 54.6645.7 8.0 6 643.95 690.3 46.35 58.22 6.7 Total 3806.91 4178.88 371.97336.41 8.9

Table 13 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “reusable filters pretreated withPG” filters tested:

TABLE 13 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 1220 990 1.2 18.925 2550 1840 1.4 27.8 45 2330 970 2.4 58.4 85 1690 50D 3.4 70.4 145 166019D 8.7 88.6

The efficiency of an “activated carbon six inches” filter used in athermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure is now discussed. Tables 14 and 15 illustratemeasurements taken when using an “activated carbon six inches” filter(for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration systemhaving a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 14 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon sixinches” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 14 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 20411.721346.1 934.4 4.6 Total 20411.7 21346.1 934.4 4.6

Table 15 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon six inches”filters tested:

TABLE 15 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 770 580 1.3 24.735 3030 90 33.7 97.0 65 1940 70 27.7 96.4 95 770 40 19.3 94.8 125 350 507.0 85.7

The efficiency of an “activated carbon six inches (pretreated)” filterused in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. The activatedcarbon six inches filter was pretreated with a 10% solution of PG.Tables 16 and 17 illustrate measurements taken when using an “activatedcarbon six inches (pretreated)” filter (for example) used in anexemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog”application time of 125 minutes.

Table 16 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon sixinches (pretreated)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 16 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 23586.824335.2 748.4 3.2 Tot 23586.B 24335.2 748.4 3.2

Table 17 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon six inches(pretreated)” filters tested:

TABLE 17 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 2140 920 2.3 57.035 1830 230 8.0 87.4 65 1310 50 26.2 96.2 95 540 50 10.8 90.7 125 260 308.7 88.5

FIG. 9 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 900 includes a plot 910, which illustrate a percentageof weight gain of each “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter of afilter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtrationsystem having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 18 is a summary of the weight gain of the “carbon/fiber filter(untreated)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being capturedby each filter, for example):

TABLE 18 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 239.73 417.67177.94 74.2 2 240.6 271.39 30.79 12.8 3 239.56 265.13 25.57 10.7 4244.23 268.52 24.29 9.9 5 238.55 260.86 22.31 9.4 6 237.39 260.61 23.229.8 Total 1440.06 1744.18 304.12 21.1

Table 19 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)”filters tested:

TABLE 19 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 180 130 1.4 27.835 3090 1730 1.8 44.0 65 2060 940 2.2 54.4 95 640 380 0.6 40.6 125 240150 1.6 37.5

FIG. 10 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a“carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1000 includes a plot 1010, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filterof a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 20 is a summary of the weight gain of the “carbon/fiber filter(10% PG)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 20 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 261.2 421.31160.11 61.3 2 263.74 291.9 28.16 10.7 3 264.44 289.9 25.46 9.6 4 265.11288.31 23.2 8.8 5 264.13 285.17 21.04 8.0 6 269.35 295.75 26.4 9.8 Total1587.97 1872.34 284.37 17.9

Table 21 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)”filters tested:

TABLE 21 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 580 150 3.9 74.135 3490 1740 2.0 50.1 65 2060 940 2.2 54.4 95 770 400 1.9 48.1 125 340120 2.8 64.7

FIG. 11 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3Mfilter (Second Test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart1100 includes a plot 1110, which illustrate a percentage of weight gainof each “3M filter (Second Test)” filter of a filter bank (for example)used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total“fog” application time of 140 minutes.

Table 22 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M filter (SecondTest)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 22 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 273.13 722.62449.49 164.6 2 271.97 522.04 250.07 91.9 3 274.07 452.04 177.97 64.9 42737 409.77 136.07 49.7 5 271.01 355.75 84.74 31.3 6 271.08 315.8 44.7216.5 Total 1634.96 2778.02 1143.06 69.9

Table 23 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “3M filter (Second Test)” filterstested:

TABLE 23 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 970 80 12.1 91.835 1530 130 11.8 91.5 65 1120 90 12.4 92.0 95 340 110 3.1 67.6 125 16080 2.0 50.0 135 360 40 9.0 88.9

FIG. 12 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3Mfilter (washed and dried)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1100 includes a plot 1110, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “3M filter (washed and dried)” filterof a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 24 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M filter (washed anddried)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 24 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 276.45 701.69425.24 153.8 2 290.66 466.66 176 60.6 3 295 417.88 122.86 41.7 4 299.72384.53 84.81 28.3 5 313.3 375.82 62.52 20.0 6 375.2 404.6 29.4 7.8 Total1850.33 2751.18 900.85 48.7

Table 25 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “3M filter (washed and dried)”filters tested:

TABLE 25 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 520 90 5.8 82.7 352200 230 9.6 89.5 65 1870 140 13.4 92.5 95 860 120 7.2 86.0 125 360 1502.4 58.3

FIG. 13 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “twocheap and four 3M filters” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1300 includes a plot 1310, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “two cheap and four 3M filters” filterof a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 26 is a summary of the weight gain of the “two cheap and four 3Mfilters” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 26 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 126.42 311.21184.79 146.2 2 123.35 290.91 167.56 135.8 3 274.17 447.07 172.9 63.1 4275.67 402.02 126.35 45.8 5 276.46 360.24 83.78 30.3 6 276.33 324.7448.41 17.5 Total 1352.4 2136.19 783.79 58.0Table 27 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “two cheap and four 3M filters”filters tested:

TABLE 27 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 1790 80 22.4 95.535 1330 60 22.2 95.5 65 950 40 23.8 95.8 95 290 50 5.8 82.8 125 540 4013.5 92.6

FIG. 14 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “twocheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1400 includes a plot 1410, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “two cheap and four 3M filters(reused)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of125 minutes.

Table 28 is a summary of the weight gain of the “two cheap and four 3Mfilters (reused)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 28 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 123.26 316.59193.33 156.8 2 130.54 274.26 143.72 110.1 3 324.74 468.45 143.71 44.3 4360.24 449.26 89.02 24.7 5 402.02 453.92 51.9 12.9 6 447.07 483.53 36.468.2 Total 1787.87 2446.01 658.14 36.8

Table 29 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “two cheap and four 3M filters(reused)” filters tested:

TABLE 29 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 940 510 1.8 45.735 2740 390 7.0 85.8 65 640 80 8.0 87.5 95 620 70 8.9 88.7 125 400 606.7 85.0

FIG. 15 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (new)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 1500includes a plot 1510, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain ofeach “20×25 3M filters (new)” filter of a filter bank (for example) usedin an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog”application time of 125 minutes.

Table 30 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (new)”filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by eachfilter, for example):

TABLE 30 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 302.25 751448.75 148.5 2 301.82 556.5 254.68 84.4 3 339.90 532.35 192.54 56.6 4301.25 385.84 84.59 28.1 5 303.84 332.1 28.26 9.3 6 302.92 315.63 12.714.2 Total 1851.98 2873.42 1021.44 55.2

Table 31 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (new)” filterstested:

TABLE 31 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 960 50 19.2 94.835 2100 40 52.5 98.1 65 480 60 8.0 87.5 95 390 60 6.5 84.6 125 210 405.3 81.0

FIG. 16 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 1600includes a plot 1610, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain ofeach “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filter of a filter bank (for example)used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total“fog” application time of 100 minutes.

Table 32 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters(reused)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 32 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 315.63 759.3443.67 140.6 2 332.1 575.72 243.62 73.4 3 385.84 592.72 206.88 53.6 4532.35 501.64 −30.71 −5.8 5 556.5 559.66 3.16 0.6 6 751 750.17 −0.83−0.1 Total 2873.42 3739.21 865.79 30.1Table 33 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (reused)”filters tested:

TABLE 33 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 500 70 7.1 86.0 352090 160 13.1 92.3 65 880 150 5.9 83.0 95 540 90 6.0 83.3

The efficiency of an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×6” filterused in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. Tables 34 and 35illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×6” filter (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of125 minutes.

Table 34 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×6” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 34 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 17345.3718198.1 852.8 4.9 Total 17345.4 18198.1 852.8 4.9Table 35 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×6” filters tested:

TABLE 35 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 910 880 1.0 3.3 352110 400 5.3 81.0 65 1370 240 5.7 82.5 95 430 240 1.8 44.2 125 160 901.8 43.8

The efficiency of an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×12” filterused in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. Tables 36 and 37illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×12” filter (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of205 minutes.

Table 36 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×12” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 36 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 55905.2656744.4 839.1 1.5 Total 55905.3 56744.4 839.1 1.5Table 37 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon (largegranules) 20×20×12” filters tested:

TABLE 37 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 1080 780 1.4 27.845 520 460 1.1 11.5 85 320 190 1.7 40.6 125 130 120 1.1 7.7 165 110 1001.1 9.1 205 60 60 1.0 0.0

FIG. 17 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. “EcoFOG 100” contains diphenylamine as the active ingredientand is available from Pace International, LLC. Chart 1700 includes aplot 1710, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×253M filters (1900 EcoFOG 100)” filter of a filter bank (for example) usedin an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog”application time of 125 minutes.

Table 38 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900EcoFOG 100)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being capturedby each filter, for example):

TABLE 38 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 338.35 971.6633.25 187.2 2 313.66 577.78 264.12 84.2 3 311.55 444.85 133.3 42.8 4311.76 367.11 55.35 17.8 5 298.76 316.28 17.52 5.9 6 302.62 320.26 17.645.8 Total 1876.7 2997.88 1121.18 59.7

Table 39 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG100)” filters tested:

TABLE 39 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) DPA/M³ DPA/M³ (Times) Reduction 5 734.40 0 734.0 100.035 3369.0 21.8 154.9 99.4 65 938.0 5.0 188.0 99.5 95 173.5 4.4 39.0 97.4125 125.3 0.0 125.3 100.0 155 24.31 8.8 2.7 63.6

FIG. 18 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 Melted DPA)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1800 includes a plot 1810, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)”filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-foggerfiltration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 40 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900Melted DPA)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being capturedby each filter, for example):

TABLE 40 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 308.43 494.29185.86 60.3 2 307.78 365.9 58.12 18.9 3 303.5 321.56 18.06 6.0 4 305.73308.84 3.11 1.0 5 308.2 308.98 0.78 0.3 6 307.2 307.61 0.41 0.1 Total1840.84 2107.18 266.34 14.5Table 41 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 MeltedDPA)” filters tested:

TABLE 41 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) DPA/M³ DPA/M³ (Times) Reduction 5 850 1.85 459.5 99.835 3740 10 374.0 99.7 65 3120 7.74 403.1 99.8 95 1950 0.1 19500.0 100.0125 760 0.1 7600.0 100.0

FIG. 19 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 1900 includes a plot 1910, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG100)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of119 minutes.

Table 42 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900new EcoFOG 100)” filters tested (due to substances being captured byeach filter, for example):

TABLE 42 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 306.6 446.2139.6 45.5 2 306.1 422.4 116.3 38.0 3 304 386.1 82.1 27.0 4 306.2 346.540.3 13.2 5 304.4 318.1 13.7 4.5 6 305 3100 5 4.6 Total 1832.3 2229.3397 21.7

Table 43 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 newEcoFOG 100)” filters tested:

TABLE 43 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) DPA/M³ DPA/M³ (Times) Reduction 5 531.0 175.0 3.0 67.030 935.0 128.0 7.3 86.3 60 1023.0 138.0 7.4 86.5 90 903.0 139.0 6.5 84.6119 946.0 137.0 6.9 85.5

FIG. 20 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-foggingfiltration system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Chart 2000 includes a plot 2010, which illustrate apercentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG100)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of65 minutes in a first room and 80 in a second room.

Table 44 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900new EcoFOG 100)” filters after being used for filtering both rooms(sequentially):

TABLE 44 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 308.58 530221.42 71.8 2 309.97 499.6 189.63 61.2 3 309.74 460.1 150.36 48.5 4310.56 424.4 113.84 36.7 5 307.53 380.3 72.77 23.7 6 309.12 347.7 38.5812.5 Total 1855.5 2642.1 786.6 42.4Table 45 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 newEcoFOG 100)” filters tested in the first room:

TABLE 45 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 351.0 33.0 10.590.6 20 830.0 6.0 138.3 99.3 35 517.0 3.0 172.3 99.4 50 868.0 6.0 144799.3 65 534.0 17.0 31.4 96.8Table 46 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 newEcoFOG 160)” filters tested in the second room:

TABLE 46 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 5 249.0 5.0 49.898.0 20 1188.0 14.0 84.9 98.8 35 731.0 53.0 13.8 92.7 50 1108.0 38.029.2 96.6 65 949.0 50.0 19.0 94.7 80 858.0 276.0 3.1 67.8

FIG. 21 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “six new3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtrationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. “EcoFOG160” contains pyrimethanil as the active ingredient and is availablefrom Pace International, LLC. Chart 2100 includes a plot 2110, whichillustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “six new 3M filters(EcoFOG 160)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of118 minutes.

Table 47 is a summary of the weight gain of the “six new 3M filters(EcoFOG 160)” filters tested (due to substances being captured by eachfilter, for example):

TABLE 47 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 310.6 501.8191.2 61.6 2 308.8 452.9 144.1 46.7 3 309.8 403.4 93.6 30.2 4 311.6359.8 48.2 15.5 5 308.7 323.3 14.6 4.7 6 309.1 313.9 4.8 1.6 Total1858.6 2355.1 496.5 26.7Table 48 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)”filters tested:

TABLE 48 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Time Pre-Filter mg After-Filter mg AIReduction % (min) Pyr./M³ Pyr./M³ (Times) Reduction 6 413.0 1.0 413.099.8 60 289.0 2.0 144.5 99.3 118 4734.0 9.0 526.0 99.8

FIG. 22 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3Mfilters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filterbank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 2200 includes a plot 2210,which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters(2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filter of afilter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtrationsystem having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.

Table 49 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (2200plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filters tested:

TABLE 49 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 313.04 833.24520.2 166.2 2 312 577.42 265.42 85.1 3 312.8 477.33 164.53 52.6 4 310.76393.93 83.17 26.8 5 312.25 388.6 26.35 8.4 6 314.65 328.98 14.33 4.6Total 1875.5 2949.5 1074 57.3

FIG. 23 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency in a secondtest of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbonEcoFOG 160 2L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Chart 2300includes a plot 2310, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain ofeach “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG160 2L)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplarythermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of125 minutes.

Table 50 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (2200plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filters tested (dueto substances being captured by each filter, for example):

TABLE 50 Filters Weight (g) # Before After Δ m % W. Gain 1 312.98 817.35504.37 161.2 2 312.36 591.01 278.65 89.2 3 310.89 488.75 177.86 57.2 4311.74 411.82 100.08 32.1 5 313.38 352.06 38.68 12.3 6 313.24 334.6121.37 6.8 Total 1874.59 2995.6 1121.01 59.8

Table 51 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in athermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus twoinches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2L)” filters tested:

TABLE 51 Aerosol Analysis Pre-Filter EtOAC After-Fiber FilterAfter-Carbon Filter Sampling Relative EtOAC Relative EtOAC Relative % %% Time Concentration Concentration Concentration Reduction ReductionReduction (min) (No m.u.) (No m.u.) (No m.u.) Fiber Carbon Total 35567607 407245 38926 28.252294 90.44163 93.14209 65 235369 235103 300880.113014 87.2022 87.21667 95 169475 170857 68086 −0.81546 60.150359.82534 125 144186 371199 35583 −157.4446 90.41404 75.32146

The parts per million (ppm) values presented in Tables 52-56 below arethe concentrations of diphenylamine detected in samples collectedimmediately before the filters (Pre-filter) and immediately after thefilters (After-Filter).

Table 52 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 170)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM. “EcoFOG 170”contains diphenylamine as the active ingredient and is available fromPace International, LLC.

TABLE 52 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min)DPA ppm DPA ppm % Reduction 5 57.13 0.10 99.8 35 157.74 0.10 99.9 6577.18 0.00 100.0 95 19.96 0.00 100.0 125 11.90 0.00 100.0

Table 53 is a summary of the weight gain of the seven “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 170)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 53 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min)DPA ppm DPA ppm % Reduction 5 62.39 2.15 96.6 35 152.30 0.10 99.9 6538.00 0.00 100.0 95 8.15 0.00 100.0 125 21.82 0.00 100.0

Table 54 is a summary of the weight gain of the eight “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 170)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 54 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min)DPA ppm DPA ppm % Reduction 5 114.55 2.12 98.1 35 71.12 0.10 99.9 6543.05 0.00 100.0 95 7.83 0.00 100.0 125 18.45 0.00 100.0

Table 55 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 170)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM and −0.25 IWC:

TABLE 55 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min)DPA ppm DPA ppm % Reduction 5 166.79 11.40 93.2 35 149.01 1.06 99.3 6525.13 6.28 75.0 95 2.96 0.00 100.0 125 2.01 0.00 100.0

Table 56 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 170)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 80 CFM:

TABLE 56 Aerosol Analysis Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min)DPA ppm DPA ppm % Reduction 5 181.31 7.58 95.8 35 82.00 0.10 99.9 6540.00 0.00 100.0 95 14.00 0.00 100.0 125 5.36 0.10 98.1

The results of the tests in Tables 52-54 demonstrate that increases inthe number of filters from six filters to eight filters resulted insubstantially the same effectiveness.

The results of the tests in Tables 52 and 55 demonstrate that reducingthe room pressure from −0.15-0 inch WC to −0.25 inch WC resulted insubstantially the same performance.

The results of the tests in Tables 52 and 56 demonstrated thatincreasing the air flow from 40 CFM to 80 CFM resulted in substantiallythe same performance.

The parts per million (ppm) values presented in Tables 57-66 below arethe concentrations of thiabendazole (“TBZ”) or fludioxonil (“FDL”)detected in samples collected immediately before the filters(Pre-filter) and immediately after the filters (After-Filter).

Table 57 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 99)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM. “EcoFOG 99” containsthiabendazole as the active ingredient and is available from PaceInternational, LLC.

TABLE 57 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)TBZ ppm TBZ ppm % Reduction 5 31.85 0.00 100.0 35 51.03 0.34 99.3 6523.38 0.00 100.0 95 12.45 0.00 100.0 125 5.72 0.00 100.0

Table 58 is a summary of the weight gain of the seven “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 99)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 58 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)ppm ppm % Reduction 5 132.80 0.01 100.0 35 46.35 0.01 100.0 65 13.190.01 99.9 95 6.32 0.01 99.8 125 4.30 0.01 99.8

Table 59 is a summary of the weight gain of the eight “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 99)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 59 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)TBZ ppm TBZ ppm % Reduction 5 91.50 0.01 100.0 35 49.08 3.57 92.7 6538.05 0.95 97.5 95 16.33 1.06 93.5 125 3.79 0.46 87.9

Table 60 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 99)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM and −025 inches WC:

TABLE 60 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)TBZ ppm TBZ ppm % Reduction 5 57.58 1.15 98.0 35 69.75 0.50 99.3 6510.26 0.44 95.7 95 6.08 0.01 99.8 125 7.56 0.26 96.6

Table 61 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 99)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 80 CFM:

TABLE 61 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)TBZ ppm TBZ ppm % Reduction 5 77.18 0.01 100.0 35 68.00 0.50 99.3 6522.20 0.35 98.4 95 9.25 0.01 99.9 125 10.50 0.01 99.9

Table 62 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 80)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM. “EcoFOG 80” containsfludioxonil as the active ingredient and is available from PaceInternational, LLC.

TABLE 62 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)FDL ppm FDL ppm % Reduction 5 19.36 2.53 86.9 35 47.24 0.00 100.0 6522.28 0.00 100.0 95 6.48 0.00 100.0 125 3.82 0.00 100.0

Table 63 is a summary of the weight gain of the seven “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 80)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 63 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)FDL ppm FDL ppm % Reduction 5 49.70 0.00 100.0 35 38.32 0.00 100.0 6528.20 0.00 100.0 95 7.46 0.00 100.0 125 5.30 0.00 100.0

Table 64 is a summary of the weight gain of the eight “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 80)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM:

TABLE 64 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)FDL ppm FDL ppm % Reduction 5 29.90 0.00 100.0 35 38.04 0.00 100.0 6514.96 0.00 100.0 95 7.75 0.00 100.0 125 4.24 0.00 100.0

Table 65 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 80)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 40 CFM and −0.25 inches WC:

TABLE 65 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)FDL ppm FDL ppm % Reduction 5 32.37 0.00 100.0 35 73.44 0.00 100.0 659.68 0.00 100.0 95 3.15 0.00 100.0 125 4.88 0.00 100.0

Table 66 is a summary of the weight gain of the six “20×25 3M filters(1900 EcoFOG 80)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances beingcaptured by each filter, for example) under 80 CFM:

TABLE 66 AEROSOL ANALYSIS Sampling Pre-Filter After-Filter Time (min.)FDL ppm FDL ppm % Reduction 5 82.09 0.00 100.0 35 41.83 0.00 100.0 6520.79 0.00 100.0 95 0.00 0.00 #DIV/0! 125 0.00 0.00 #DIV/0!

The results of the tests in Tables 57-66 demonstrate that when thenumber of filters is at least six, the present invention is effectiveutilizing fludioxonil and thiabendazole as the post-harvest treatmentchemical.

The results of the tests in Tables 57-66 demonstrate that when thepressure is between −0.25 and 0 inches pressure in the water column, thepresent invention is effective utilizing TBZ and FDL as the post-harvesttreatment chemical.

The results of the tests in Tables 57-66 demonstrate that at air flowrates up to 80 CFM, the present invention is effective utilizing TBZ andFDL as the post-harvest treatment chemical.

The various exemplary embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that could be made without following theexample exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and describedherein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for filtration, comprising: arrangingfruits in a substantially closed room having a volume of air;introducing post-harvest chemicals selected from the group consisting ofthiabendazole, fludioxonil and a mixture thereof, and optionally,additional treatment substances, into an airstream with a thermo-foggergun to generate air-borne treatment substances at a rate of up to 80cubic feet per minute; introducing the airstream and the air-bornetreatment substances into the volume of air of the substantially closedroom to generate the dispersed air-borne substances; creating with a fana pressure between −0.25 and 0 inches water column upon a bank of atleast six high particle-rated pleated fiber filters; and inducing anexhaust air current that flows from the substantially closed room intoan exhaust port of the substantially closed room, wherein the exhaustair current includes the air-borne substances from the exhaust port andthe filter bank captures at least around 95 percent of the air-bornetreatment substances.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein ambient air isused as input to the thermo-fogger gun.
 3. A method for filtration,comprising: arranging vegetables in a substantially closed room having avolume of air; introducing post-harvest chemicals selected from thegroup consisting of thiabendazole, fludioxonil and a mixture thereof,and optionally, additional treatment substances, into an airstream witha thermo-fogger gun to generate air-borne treatment substances at a rateof up to 80 cubic feet per minute; introducing the airstream and theair-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of thesubstantially closed room to generate the dispersed air-bornesubstances; creating with a fan a pressure between −0.25 and 0 incheswater column upon a bank of at least six high particle-rated pleatedfiber filters; and inducing an exhaust air current that flows from thesubstantially closed room into an exhaust port of the substantiallyclosed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes the air-bornesubstances from the exhaust port and the filter bank captures at leastaround 95 percent of the air-borne treatment substances.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein ambient air is used as input to the thermo-foggergun.